Update | iPhone 17 could support 8K video recording thanks to telephoto camera upgrade

The Weibo post by Fixed Focus Digital mentioned 8K in reference to the price of the iPhone 17 in China but a translation error made it seem like a reference to 8K video recording capability. The iPhone 17 series may start at 8,000 yuan (circa $1,100), which is what the current gen iPhone 16 Pro starts at.

Original article continues as follows:

iPhone 17 and even iPhone 18 series have been in the news for the past few weeks, with several leaks and rumors hinting at what to expect from the next generation of Apple smartphones. The latest leak mentions the more immediate launch, the iPhone 17 series, suggesting that the phones will support 8K video recording. The leak does not share any more information, but supports previous claims of the capability.

A leaker on Weibo who goes by Fixed Focus Digital (translated), shared on the Chinese social media platform that the upcoming iPhone 17 series will support 8K video recording through the cameras on the back. It is unclear if the entire lineup will be capable of recording at 8K or just the Pro models.

It is expected that the new Pro phones will see a major upgrade to the cameras, going from a 12-megapixel telephoto on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max to 48 megapixels on the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max. While this is still a rumor, it backs claims of the new iPhones receiving major camera upgrades, both to the front and the back.

Furthermore, since anything higher than 33 megapixels is capable of shooting in 8K, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are theoretically capable as well, at least through the primary and ultrawide cameras. The A18 SoC is also more than capable of handling 8K recordings. The telephoto, being only 12 megapixels, could have been the limitation and iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max users wouldn’t be able to seamlessly transition from one lens to another while recording in 8K. Now, if the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max are getting 48-megapixel telephoto cameras, there shouldn't be anything stopping the phones from recording in 8K.

It should be noted that these are still rumors and speculations, and that Apple has not shared any information on the upcoming phones.